Approved Land Use Strategy > Land Use Categories
7.0 LAND USE CATEGORIES
7.1 Overview
The Strategy contains two types of geographic-specific land use categories -- Land Use Designations and Enhanced Management Areas.There are five Land Use Designations:
There are seven types of Enhanced Management Areas:
All of the land use categories are intended to provide a geographic expression of where specific sets of land use and management policies will apply. The application of the land use categories is shown on the enclosed large colour map.
The maps and associated policies serve three main purposes:
It is important to recognize that the policies that are outlined for the land use categories do not address all possible activities. The focus has been on providing direction on major uses that are of particular interest, and that are an indicator of general land use intent. In many cases additional site-specific analysis will be required to provide detailed land use direction. In the interim, management will need to be consistent with the general intent of the land use category, any direction that may be included in Appendix A, and other planning documents that may provide direction such as portions of existing District Land Use Guidelines.
In implementing the new land use policies, consideration needs to be given to existing commitments. For example, it is known that there are land sales in progress in some areas where the new policies indicate that disposition will not occur. Subject to meeting all other necessary requirements, the Ministry will complete transactions where a commitment has been established.
Some of the land use categories have policies that limit or prohibit the sale of Crown lands. In these areas there are some types of new minor dispositions that will be permitted where it does not detrimentally affect the values an area is intended to protect. Examples of these types of minor dispositions are the sale of the road allowance in front of an existing cottage, and the sale of small parcels of land to provide an adequate area for the installation of a septic system.
All currently regulated land use designations have been recognized in the Strategy. In a few cases, alterations or exceptions to the existing management policies for these areas are outlined.
Because the Strategy covers a very large area, in some cases the boundaries of the designations and enhanced management areas are relatively general, and will necessarily be subject to refinement.
Resource management within all LUDs and EMAs will be undertaken in accordance with applicable policy and guidelines. Management of the full land base will be carried out in a manner that ensures ecological sustainability, protection of significant natural heritage and biological features, and continued availability of resources for the long-term benefit of Ontarians. Management will be undertaken in recognition of the many interests and users of the resource, and resource-management activities in all land use areas will ensure that they do not compromise values in adjacent areas.
Table 2 summarizes the extent of all the land use categories.
Table 2: Summary of Land Use Categories in the Planning Area
| Land Use Category | Number | Area (ha) | % of Planning Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial Parks (see notes 1,2,3) | 246 | 3,674,788 | 8.14 |
| Algonquin recreation/utilization zone (see note 2) | 1 | 591,129 | 1.31 |
| Conservation Reserves (see notes 1,3) | 300 | 1,537,194 | 3.41 |
| Forest Reserves | 14 | 31,419 | 0.07 |
| General Use Areas | - | 31,441,816 | 69.68 |
| Wilderness Areas (see note 4) | 8 | 724 | .002 |
| Enhanced Management Areas (Total) | 86 | 1,602,349 | 3.55 |
| Natural Heritage | 24 | 51,478 | 0.11 |
| Remote Access | 35 | 613,509 | 1.36 |
| Great Lakes Coastal Area | 3 | 50,101 | 0.11 |
| Fish and Wildlife | 5 | 210,163 | 0.47 |
| Recreation | 19 | 677,098 | 1.50 |
| Resource-based Tourism | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Intensive Forestry | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| National Parks | 2 | 186,521 | 0.41 |
| Private and Federal lands (excluding national parks) | - | 6,058,918 | 13.43 |
| TOTAL PLANNING AREA (including private and federal lands) | - | 45,124,858 | 100.00 |
Notes:
7.2 Land Use Designations
There are four Land Use Designations delineated in the Strategy. Recommended Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (shown on map 3) will be regulated under the Provincial Parks Act and the Public Lands Act respectively. The Forest Reserves and general use areas will not be regulated.In many cases, existing forest access roads occur within areas identified as recommended Provincial Parks or Conservation Reserves, or Forest Reserves. These roads may be essential for continued access beyond the area for forest management or recreational purposes. Where alternative access does not exist or road relocation is not feasible, these roads will continue to be available for access. Continued use will include maintenance and may include future upgrading.
7.2.1 Provincial Parks
Existing and recommended Provincial Parks will be managed to ensure that their natural and cultural values are retained and enhanced. Commercial timber harvest, mining, and commercial hydroelectric power development will continue to be excluded from all existing and new Provincial Parks (with the exception of forest management currently allowed in the recreation-utilization zone of Algonquin Park).
Mineral exploration may occur under controlled conditions in portions of new Provincial Parks that are identified through further analysis and consultation as having provincially-significant mineral potential. If part of a new park is to be developed for a mine, it would be deregulated as part of the park, and appropriate replacement lands would be placed into regulation.
Prior to permitting exploration in portions of the new Provincial Parks, procedures will be developed that will include:
Existing Provincial Parks will be managed according to current management plans or interim management statements and current provincial policy, subject to the exceptions outlined in the Strategy.
This Strategy establishes the intent to add the recommended Provincial Parks and park additions to the provincial park system and protect these areas by regulation under the Provincial Parks Act. The recommended parks will contribute to achieving Ontario's targets for protecting representative elements of our natural heritage and will complete the Provincial Parks system within the planning area. Each recommended park or park addition has been assigned to one of the classes of provincial park, although in a few cases the classification requires confirmation through further analysis and consultation.
Table 3 summarizes the policy on selected uses in Provincial Parks within the Strategy's planning area. Those uses and management activities not listed in the table are governed by existing Provincial Parks policy.
Table 3: Summary of Permitted Uses in Provincial Parks within the Planning Area
| Use | Existing Provincial Parks | New Provincial Parks and Park Additions in Planning Area |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial timber harvest, commercial hydro development | Not permitted, except for existing commercial forest harvest in the recreation-utilization zone in Algonquin Park. | Not permitted. |
| Mineral exploration and mining | Not permitted. | Controlled mineral exploration is permitted in areas with provincially-significant mineral potential. If a site is to be developed for a mine, it would be deregulated, and a replacement area added to the park. |
| Bait fishing, commercial fishing, commercial fur harvesting, wild rice harvesting | Existing use permitted to continue indefinitely, except in wilderness and nature reserve zones and parks, where these activities will be phased out by 2010 (except for aboriginal use, subject to applicable legislation and regulation.) No new operations permitted. | Existing use permitted to continue indefinitely, except in new nature reserves. No new operations permitted. |
| Sport hunting | Existing policy which permits hunting in specific park classes and zones continues. | Permitted in all new parks and additions except Nature Reserve parks and zones. Hunting permitted in additions to wilderness parks. |
| Sport fishing | Permitted, except in specific fish sanctuaries. | Permitted, except in specific fish sanctuaries. |
| Seasonal recreation camps ("hunt camps") | Existing camps may continue, as permitted by existing policy. | Existing authorized camps permitted to continue, eligible for enhanced tenure but not purchase of land (see 6.1.8). |
| Tourism facilities and recreational trails | Continue, as permitted by existing policy. | Existing authorized facilities and trails (motorized and non-motorized) continue, subject to management prescriptions determined through management planning. Existing tourism facilities may be eligible for enhanced tenure, and decisions will be made in management planning. New tourism facilities and trails can be considered where consistent with existing park policy. |
| Road construction across waterway parks | Permitted but not encouraged; often dealt with through park planning processes. | Efforts will be made to specifically identify required crossings for forestry purposes prior to regulation. |
MNR and MNDM will put interim policies in place to ensure protection until these areas are regulated. Within recommended Provincial Parks, existing mining claims, leases and patents, and existing aggregate permits will not be included as part of the regulated area. If the claim, lease, or permit is subsequently surrendered through normal processes, the area would be recommended for inclusion in the park. In the interim, these areas will be managed as Forest Reserves. Necessary access to existing claims or leases for mineral exploration or development purposes will be permitted with appropriate consideration for the protection of park values.
7.2.2 Conservation Reserves
The Strategy establishes the intent to add the new Conservation Reserves to the existing network of Conservation Reserves and protect these areas by regulation under the Public Lands Act. They complement Provincial Parks in protecting representative natural areas and special landscapes. Detailed policies for Conservation Reserves are outlined in Conservation Reserves Policy and Procedure (1997). Guidance for the management of individual Conservation Reserves will be provided by Statements of Conservation Interest or Resource Management Plans that will be prepared, over time, for all Conservation Reserves.
Commercial timber harvest, mining, and commercial hydroelectric power development will continue to be excluded from all existing and new Conservation Reserves. Mineral exploration may occur under controlled conditions in specific new Conservation Reserves that have been identified as having provincially significant mineral potential. If a portion of a new Conservation Reserve is to be developed for a mine, it would be deregulated as part of the reserve, and appropriate replacement lands would be placed into regulation.
Prior to permitting exploration in portions of the new Conservation Reserves, procedures will be developed that will include:
New Conservation Reserves will generally be managed in the same way as existing Conservation Reserves. Most non-industrial resource uses (e.g., fur harvesting, commercial fishing and bait harvesting) are permitted if they are compatible with the values of individual reserves. Table 4 summarizes the policy on selected uses in existing and new Conservation Reserves within the Land Use Strategy planning area. Those uses and management activities not listed in the table are governed by existing Conservation Reserve policy.
Table 4: Summary of Permitted Uses in Conservation Reserves within the Planning Area
| Use | Existing Conservation Reserves | New Conservation Reserves in Planning Area |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial timber harvest, commercial hydro development | Not permitted. | Not permitted. |
| Mineral exploration and mining | Not permitted. | Controlled mineral exploration is permitted in areas with provincially-significant mineral potential. If a site is to be developed for a mine, it would be deregulated, and an appropriate replacement area added to the conservation reserve. |
| Bait fishing, commercial fishing, commercial fur harvesting, wild rice harvesting | Existing use permitted to continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. New operations can be considered, subject to the "test of compatibility". | Existing use permitted to continue unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. New operations can be considered, subject to the "test of compatibility". |
| Sport hunting | Permitted. | Permitted. |
| Sport fishing | Permitted, except in specific fish sanctuaries. | Permitted, except in specific fish sanctuaries. |
| Seasonal recreation camps ("hunt camps") | Existing camps permitted to continue, and may be eligible for enhanced tenure, but not purchase of land (see 6.1.8). | Existing authorized camps permitted to continue, and may be eligible for enhanced tenure, but not purchase of land (see 6.1.8). |
| Commercial Bear Hunting | Existing use permitted to continue. New operations not permitted. | Existing use permitted to continue. New operations not permitted. |
| Tourism facilities (for resource-based tourism) and recreational trails | Existing authorized facilities and trails can continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. No new tourism facilities permitted. New trails can be considered as part of planning for an individual reserve. | Existing authorized facilities and trails (motorized and non-motorized) can continue, unless there are significant demonstrated conflicts. Tourism facilities can apply to upgrade tenure from LUP to lease. New tourism and trail facilities can be considered as part of planning for an individual reserve. |
| Land Disposition | Sale of lands is not permitted. Renewals of existing leases or land use permits are permitted; requests for transfer of tenure will be considered in the context of the Statement of Conservation Interest or Resource Management Plan. New leases or land use permits permitted for approved activities. | Sale of lands is not permitted. Renewals of existing leases or land use permits are permitted; requests for transfer of tenure will be considered in the context of the Statement of Conservation Interest or Resource Management Plan. New leases or land use permits permitted for approved activities. |
| Roads | Existing roads can continue to be used, but new roads for resource extraction will not be permitted. | Existing roads can continue to be used, but new roads for resource extraction will not be permitted, with the exception of necessary access for mineral exploration and development. |
Most recreational and non-commercial activities that have traditionally been enjoyed in an area can continue provided they pose little threat to the natural ecosystems and features protected by the conservation reserve.
MNR and MNDM will establish interim policies to ensure protection until the areas are regulated. Within recommended Conservation Reserves, existing mining claims, leases and patents, and existing aggregate permits will not be included as part of the regulated area. If the claim, lease, or permit is subsequently surrendered through normal processes, the area would be recommended for regulation as part of the reserve. In the interim, these areas would be managed as forest reserves. Necessary access to existing claims or leases for exploration or development purposes will be permitted with appropriate consideration for the protection of Conservation Reserve values.
7.2.3 Forest Reserves
Forest Reserves are areas where protection of natural heritage and special landscapes is a priority, but some resource use can take place with appropriate conditions. This designation has been applied to a relatively small number of areas. The designation will be applied to additional areas that have been initially identified for inclusion in recommended Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves, but where detailed examination determines that there are existing mining claims or leases. The intention is that these lands will be added to the park or Conservation Reserve if a claim or lease is retired through normal processes.
Policies for Forest Reserves are similar to the policies for new Conservation Reserves, except that mining and related access will be allowed in a Forest Reserve. Commercial forest harvest, new hydroelectric power development, and peat extraction will not be allowed, but most other resource and recreational uses will be permitted, provided they are consistent with the values that are being protected.
Aggregate extraction will not be permitted except where:
Any applications for aggregate permits will be processed in accordance with provincial standards for aggregate resources.
Policies on land disposition will be similar to those for new Conservation Reserves. More detailed planning will be undertaken to determine site-specific policies that will maintain the identified values.
7.2.4 General Use Areas
About 70 percent of the planning area has been placed in a general use designation. This designation includes all Crown lands not placed into a specific designation or EMA. A full range of resource and recreational uses can occur in General Use Areas. Management of General Use Areas will occur in the context of maintaining ecological sustainability. There is an extensive set of legislation, policy and guidelines that will support and direct management actions in General Use Areas.
In the short term, further planning in General Use Areas will primarily occur through the forest management planning process. This planning is required to consider a broad range of objectives. For example, there are many forest management guidelines that provide specific direction for the management or protection of significant natural values.
Planning in the General Use Areas will also need to consider the implications of management actions on adjacent land use designations or EMAs. For example, the new protected areas have been delineated on the basis that extensive buffering is not required, because of the ecologically sustainable management that will occur on adjacent lands.
Appendix A, which outlines area-specific policies, does not include policies for areas that have been identified for general use. In many situations, existing DLUGs provide relevant resource management direction for General Use areas. More specific identification of policies for these areas will occur during future planning.
7.2.5 Wilderness Areas
Wilderness Areas are parcels of Crown land that are regulated under the Wilderness Areas Act, which was passed in 1959. This Act states that these areas are "set apart ... for the preservation of the area as nearly as may be in its natural state in which research and educational activities may be carried on, for the protection of the flora and fauna, for the improvement of the area, having regard to its historical, aesthetic, scientific or recreational value, or for other such purposes as may be prescribed." The Act contains the restriction that it does not limit or affect the development or utilization of the natural resources in any wilderness area that is more than 260 hectares in size. Wilderness Areas, most of which were established in the 1960's, were used to protect a variety of examples of Ontario's natural heritage.
Over time, the Wilderness Area designation has been recognized as a less effective tool for natural heritage protection. Provincial Parks, and more recently Conservation Reserves, have become the preferred means of affording regulated protection to areas of significant natural or cultural heritage value.
There are 22 regulated Wilderness Areas in the OLL planning area. Fourteen of these areas are included within existing or recommended Provincial Parks or Conservation Reserves, and these areas and their natural heritage policy intent have been effectively superseded by the new regulated protection designation. There are 8 Wilderness Areas covering a total of 724 hectares within the OLL planning area that are not within a Provincial Park or Conservation Reserve.
7.3 Enhanced Management Areas
Enhanced Management Areas is a new land use category that has been established in order to provide more detailed land use direction in areas of special features or values. A wide variety of resource and recreational uses can occur in EMAs. In some areas, specific uses may be subject to conditions that are designed to support the values that make the area special. EMAs are shown on the Land Use Strategy map.
Enhanced Management Areas may lead to modifications (e.g., timing, location, method, access) in resource-management practices in order to recognize other land use values. These adjustments will be implemented with no impact on wood supply, and only in exceptional cases will wood costs be affected. EMAs will provide a specific focus for the application of guidelines and other planning and management strategies. More detailed implementation strategies will be developed with the participation of stakeholders.
Further refinement of the boundary of EMAs may occur through future land use planning, provided that these boundary refinements:
Because EMAs are intended to maintain a range of values, some of which warrant specific management policies, seven categories of EMAs have been established. These categories and the code that is shown for each category on the Land Use Strategy map are:
n -- natural heritage
r -- recreation
a -- remote access
w -- fish and wildlife
g -- Great Lakes coastal areas
t -- resource-based tourism
i -- intensive forestry
No specific EMAs in the latter two categories have been identified. Suitable areas may be identified during subsequent planning, after further policy development and more detailed analysis and consultation.
7.3.1 Natural Heritage
Natural Heritage EMAs are intended to protect areas with significant natural values, while allowing a range of resource activities. Forestry, mining, aggregate extraction and hydroelectric development are supported, but will be subject to conditions to protect natural heritage values. Crown lands may be disposed of where disposition would not affect the natural values.
Special prescriptions to direct resource management will be developed as part of ongoing planning. The prescriptions will identify conditions to protect natural values and will apply to activities such as development of roads or trails.
7.3.2 Recreation
Recreation EMAs have been applied to areas with high recreational use or significant recreation values for activities such as angling, hunting, motorized and pedestrian trail use, and canoeing. This EMA can be used for a wide range of recreation values and management intents, ranging from areas where relatively substantial recreation development is permitted, to areas providing low-density, high-quality recreation in a natural setting. Because of this range of application, and the associated range in policies, the policies are primarily outlined as part of the Area-Specific Policies table (Appendix A).
Some of the Recreation EMAs have been identified to protect remote recreation values. The intent is that these areas will be managed to provide high-quality recreation, resource-based tourism and natural values within a remote or semi-remote forested setting, while also permitting sustainable business and industrial activities. In these recreation areas, industrial activities such as forestry, mining, aggregate extraction, and hydro development, and the related construction and use of new roads, need to be carried out in such a way as to maintain or enhance the remote recreation qualities.
Recreation EMAs will also be used in future planning to identify areas in which enhanced management and use of accessible fish and wildlife resources is a major objective of planning and resource management. Other resource interests will be accommodated.
7.3.3 Remote Access
Remote Access EMAs are intended to maintain the remote character of selected areas. Typically, these are relatively large areas which provide the public and tourism operators with high-quality remote recreational experiences including hunting, fishing, canoeing, and camping. Given the large size, remoteness, and relative absence of roads, these areas will play a significant role in protecting wilderness values outside the parks and protected areas system.
Forestry, mining, aggregate extraction and hydroelectric development may occur in this EMA. The remote character will be retained through planning and establishing standards for the location and the use or abandonment of roads and trails. Roads for industrial and commercial use are permitted, however, their standards should be lower than those governing primary access roads. New roads must be planned through comprehensive long-term access planning that considers the values of the area. Some guidelines are:
7.3.4 Fish and Wildlife
The Fish and Wildlife category has been used for areas that are managed for the maintenance and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and populations, while allowing for the multiple use of other natural resources. The criteria for selection of these areas include:
One or more of these criteria may apply to a specific EMA.
Several fish and wildlife areas are delineated in the Strategy. Additional areas may be identified in the future.
7.3.5 Great Lakes Coastal Areas
Great Lakes Coastal Areas is a category of Enhanced Management Area that has been applied to specific lands and waters along the shore and islands of Georgian Bay, the North Channel, and Lake Superior. This category fits within a larger "featured area" concept -- the Great Lakes Heritage Coast -- that applies to all Crown lands along the portion of the Great Lakes shoreline within the planning area (see Section 8.1). The Great Lakes EMA has been applied in conjunction with the other land use designations and Enhanced Management Areas that occur within the Heritage Coast.
In the coastal areas, ecosystem protection and the promotion of recreation and tourism are the primary land use and resource management goals.
Traditional Crown land activities that have occurred within the Great Lakes or along the shoreline are encouraged. This includes activities such as commercial and sport fishing, hunting, fur harvesting, boating, camping, tourism, and trail use. Activities occurring on or within the water portion of this land use category should be undertaken in a manner consistent with the recreation and tourism focus of the category and the land use intent of the adjacent land use category.
The following policies on commercial resource use and access apply to the Coastal Areas:
The preceding guideline on land use is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible uses, but rather it is an outline of general direction. Other uses (e.g., sunken log removal) can occur where they are consistent with the overall intent for the area and provincial policy.
Sale of the remaining Crown lands within Great Lakes Coastal Areas is discouraged. Land disposition should only occur where it is clearly consistent with the policies in the Strategy, the overall intent of the Heritage Coast, and other policies related to development and disposition. For example, a sale or lease of Crown land or waterlot to permit a marina may be appropriate in areas where recreational boating is being encouraged, if it meets environmental and other requirements.
7.3.6 Resource-based Tourism
The Resource-based Tourism category will be used in future planning to recognize areas with highly significant resource-based tourism values. The identification of these areas will reflect the results of Resource Stewardship Agreements, as outlined in section 3.4. However, any proposals for new Resource-based Tourism areas that would potentially affect areas that have already been assigned to a specific designation or EMA would require careful evaluation to determine the most appropriate land use category.
7.3.7 Intensive ForestryThe Intensive Forestry category could be used in the future to identify Crown lands where timber harvesting, renewal, and maintenance programs are primary activities. In these areas, consideration could be given to intensified forest management that would increase the quantity and quality of available Crown timber. Intensive forest management practices can mitigate, to some extent, the loss of commercial access to Crown timber contained in new parks and protected areas. Further policy development and planning, in consultation with the forest industry and other relevant parties, will occur before these areas are established.
Amendments Affecting Chapter 7Amendment number 2002_03
Modified: January 31, 2007